A Birth Story.

Edith Esther Beazer 

Born September 2nd, 2012 

at 4:58 in the morning 

weighing 7lbs and 9oz 

measuring 20 inches long

This sweet baby girl was born in the most perfect way I could have imagined. Everything went perfectly! She was born in our living room, in water, with the assistance of a midwife. Russell was my strong hold through the whole experience and my amazing friend Maja came to capture the event with my camera. 

Edith was born 8 days early, which was a huge blessing, because Russell was able to spend a few whole days with us before heading back to school. Everything started in the afternoon on Saturday, when I was trying to persuade my body into labor.  What felt like failed attempts finally turned into a very surprising success and by 2:00 am I could no longer keep saying, I don't know if this is the real thing. I phoned the midwife at 2:30 am and she was at my house within 10 minutes. My contractions were about 2 minutes apart and increasing in intensity. She checked me and I had already progressed to about 4-5 cm dilated. We immediately started to set things up for the birth. Russell blew up the pool and started to fill it, while the midwife set up any tools and equipment that may possibly be necessary. At 3:00 am I decided that someone needed to come get Porter; I made the call and again within minutes our cousin was at the house to take Porter. We woke him, packed a bag, and told him the baby was coming. Maja showed up around 3:30 am, as well as the second assistant in case the second midwife didn't make it (which is what happened). I worked through contractions by hanging onto Russell, swaying, breathing, and moaning. I couldn't have done any of it without Russell, he was right beside me holding me, and supporting me every second, telling me how wonderful and good I was doing. Finally, after 4:00 am I was able to get into the pool. What a relief! The water felt so good, the warmth and buoyancy were a huge help through contractions. I was able to talk and laugh between contractions for quite awhile. I started going through transition, and I could feel the baby moving down and I was sure I was going to have to push soon, which I announced and literally half way through the next contraction I announced that I was pushing. The next 5 minutes or so were the most intense feeling ever as I pushed our baby out. It was so fast. Her head came out and I was able to feel that she had a full head of hair. The next contraction her body followed and they passed her immediately onto my chest.

It was incredible, She was here and in my arms and so quickly, it felt so surreal. I just kept saying over and over, wow, I did it. We discovered that she was in fact the little girl I had been anticipating and she was the sweetest thing; totally caked in vernix and looking a little chubby.

My little family of four.